Movie Review: Soul Kitchen

<i>Soul Kitchen</i> is quietly wonderful. Photo / Supplied

This quietly wonderful German dramedy is a breath of fresh cinematic air.

Schlumpy German-Greek Zinos (Adam Bousdoukos) owns a greasy spoon in Hamburg, but has an appreciation for better food.

While trying to keep his restaurant afloat, he must contend with a departing girlfriend; a jailbird brother and an old friend with nefarious intentions.

There's nothing hugely ground-breaking about Soul Kitchen, but it has hard-scrabble charm to burn.

The intensely appealing cast and richly rendered sense of camaraderie keeps things moving and fun. As Zinos undergoes one trial after another, Bousdoukos invites large amounts of empathy, which makes his victories all the sweeter.

Breezily watchable, this inspirational little wonder is the kind of film Hollywood has forgotten how to make.

* Rated M. 99 minutes. Out now